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Tell HN: Need help, locked out of Google account with 10 years of personal data

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Re: Tell HN: Need help, locked out of Google account with 10 years of personal data

#61

Post by taosx »

jeffbee wrote: post #56
jefftk wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In this case a big part of the problem seems to be that OP has 2fa enabled but set to a phone number they don't have access to anymore. This is a really tricky situation for any provider to handle.

And they moved countries. This is some of the most suspicious login activity imaginable. Nobody should be surprised if an account gets locked when you repeatedly try to access it from a new country and without your second factor.

Just to clarify, I moved countries in the past, for the last year I've been in the same country for well over a year.

Re: Tell HN: Need help, locked out of Google account with 10 years of personal data

#62

Post by oidar »

chistev wrote: post #12
voisin wrote: post #9

Not intending to shame OP, but in 2024 with stories like this occurring regularly, I am totally baffled why anyone still trusts Google with anything important. Make the switch! Run, don’t walk. Do it today. Google is the Scorpion in the parable of the frog and the scorpion - it cannot help its nature. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scorpion_and_the_Frog

Switch to what?

There's a good alternative for everything google does except Youtube - and if you are looked out of a consumer (not creator) youtube account, you can always just create it a new one. For the creators, make sure you are building views on other platforms so no one can ice you out.

Re: Tell HN: Need help, locked out of Google account with 10 years of personal data

#63

Post by Kuinox »

aphantastic wrote: post #41
Kuinox wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While you dont own a domain name, you have legals means to get it back. Thats not the cast with a GAFAM email account.

How do you actually get it back? Friend of mine has a portfolio website in their name they’ve been maintaining for well over a decade, they missed one payment and some scoundrel bought it up and is demanding thousands of bucks for it.

There is a grace period of 1-2 month before the domain is put back to sale.

Re: Tell HN: Need help, locked out of Google account with 10 years of personal data

#65

Post by tarsinge »

chistev wrote: post #12
voisin wrote: post #9

Not intending to shame OP, but in 2024 with stories like this occurring regularly, I am totally baffled why anyone still trusts Google with anything important. Make the switch! Run, don’t walk. Do it today. Google is the Scorpion in the parable of the frog and the scorpion - it cannot help its nature. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scorpion_and_the_Frog

Switch to what?

For email which is the most important to get back under your control simply buy a domain and then there are plenty of options for email hosting (including Gmail, but you cannot be locked out now).

Re: Tell HN: Need help, locked out of Google account with 10 years of personal data

#67

Post by taosx »

This post seems to have been flagged but I want to thank everyone for their suggestions and future measures. The plan for now is: 1. Retry again with email/pass in incognito in a 24 hour interval; 2. Try to get the same phone number from the telecom operators; 3. Make Subject Access Request (EU) to Google in hopes of at least getting my data back.

In order not to get caught up in the same thing again there are many good suggestions in the comments, all with some overhead/friction but 100% worth it if you ask me :D.

Re: Tell HN: Need help, locked out of Google account with 10 years of personal data

#68

Post by yencabulator »

eminent101 wrote: post #49
n2d4 wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are similar stories with Apple: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38625875

Do you or someone else know if Fastmail is any better? If I buy a Fastmail email, what protections exist that would stop them from accidentally or arbitrarily locking me out? And note, I don't live in the US. I'm wondering about this question from a global perspective.

1. Use your own domain, to have a migration path out when needed.

2. Use JMAP/IMAP or https://www.fastmail.help/hc/en-us/articles/360060590573-Dow... and keep a copy of all your mail locally.

Re: Tell HN: Need help, locked out of Google account with 10 years of personal data

#70

Post by IYasha »

Hey there, mate! Can't really do a thing, but I'm here for emotional support. You won't believe how many of us are here. :(

In my case Google refused working secondary e-mail link, secret word, current password - all of those. Probably just because my IP address changed. And my gmail and YouTube channel are now lost forever with no explanation. (I had no mobile number attached to it)

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